What will I need to get a free photo ID from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security?
You will need:
Proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate), and
Two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a voter registration card, a utility bill, vehicle registration or title, or bank statement).
If your name differs from that on your primary ID, proof of the changed name (such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.)
Learn more about the required documents at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page.
How can I check the status of my absentee by-mail ballot?
You must mail your ballot in time for your county election commission to receive it no later than the close of polls on Election Day.
You must return your ballot by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). Hand delivery or handing it to a poll worker during early voting or on Election Day is not permitted.
Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day must bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver's license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
Visit the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Driver Service Center Locations page for information about locations and hours, closure advisories, and self-service kiosks and online renewal.
Can I get a free photo ID card even if I have one of the other acceptable forms of photo ID?
No. If you already have a valid government-issued photo ID for voting purposes, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will not issue a free photo ID to you.
What if I don’t have a photo ID?
You may obtain a free photo ID to vote from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at any participating driver service center across the state. You may use the “express service” line at the driver service center to obtain your photo ID to minimize wait times. Visit the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page for more information.
What happens if I file a Title III (HAVA) complaint?
Complaints must be filed on a Title III HAVA complaint form. Complaint forms may be found at your local county election office, the State Coordinator of Elections office or online.
All complaints must be in writing, notarized, signed, and sworn to by the complainant. The complaint may be filed with either the Coordinator of Elections or the local county election office.
Once a formal complaint is filed, the Coordinator of Elections or designee will decide the resolution of the complaint.
A complainant may request a hearing on the record.
The Coordinator of Elections or designee will gather information which may include written responses from the parties. Once all the information is gathered, the Coordinator of Elections or designee will determine whether or not there is a violation of Title III.
If it is determined that a violation of Title III has occurred, the State shall provide an appropriate remedy in accordance with Title III.
If it is determined that no violation of Title III has occurred, the State shall publish the dismissed complaints of the procedures.
A final determination must be made within 90 days of the complaint being filed. Only the complainant may agree to extend this period of time.
If a final determination is not made within 90 days and no extension is granted, the complaint shall be resolved within 60 days through alternative dispute resolution. All previous proceedings, including the record and any correspondence, shall be forwarded to an administrative law judge for alternative dispute resolution.
I can’t afford a copy of my birth certificate, so I can’t get a photo ID. Can I still vote?
Yes. If you cannot afford a copy of the documents required to obtain a free photo ID, you may sign a form stating under oath that you are indigent and have been unable to obtain an acceptable photo ID for voting without paying a fee.
When can I vote?
Find your early voting and Election Day polling place and hours in the GoVoteTN app.
Does my complaint qualify as a Title III HAVA complaint?
Title IV of the Help America Vote Act requires each state to establish a state-based administrative complaint procedure. This procedure allows individuals to file a complaint if any person believes that a violation under Title III of the Help America Vote Act has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur.
A violation of Title III would include issues dealing with the following HAVA sections:
voting system standards
provisional voting
voter information requirements
statewide voter registration database and
accessibility for persons with disabilities
If your complaint does not fall within one of the above categories, you may still file a complaint with your local county election office, the State Coordinator of Elections office or online using a general complaint form.
What if I don’t bring a photo ID to the polling place?
If you don’t bring a photo ID, you will vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID. Upon returning to the election commission office, the voter will sign an affidavit and a copy of the voter’s photo ID will be made to be reviewed by the counting board.
I have a driver license, but it doesn’t have a photo. Can I use it to vote?
No, but if you do not have another form of valid photo ID, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will reissue your license with your photo for free upon request.
How do I register a nonprofit in Tennessee?
Domestic and Foreign Nonprofit Corporation filings can be filed through our online filing system.
Is an expired photo ID acceptable?
Yes, as long as it was validly issued by the federal or Tennessee state government and contains the name and photograph of the voter.
Are participants able to be selected for jury duty?
Program Participants are not subject to selection for state or municipal jury duty. T.C.A. § 40-38-607.
Program participants should not appear on state or municipal jury selection lists. If a program participant is selected for jury service, the summoning court should excuse the program participant.
If a program participant receives a jury summons for either state or municipal jury duty, the Participant must notify the summoning court of the participant's exempt status and provide a copy of the Participant's Certificate of Program Participation, if requested.
Participants may not fail to respond to a jury summons.
Is my photo ID acceptable?
If you are unsure or have questions about your photo ID, contact your county election commission or the Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959.
Where do I send the Title III (HAVA) complaint form?
Whenever a program participant is required by law to swear to or affirm the participant’s address, the participant may use the participant’s substitute address. T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
Wherever a program participant is required by law to establish residency, the participant may use the participant’s substitute address. T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
The substitute address may be used for motor vehicle records and may be printed on a drivers license. T.C.A. § 40-38-602.
The substitute address may also be used as your official mailing address for all public utilities and public utility service providers. T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
Participants may also request that private entities use the substitute address, although they are not required to do so.
Do private businesses have to accept a Safe at Home Participant's substitute address?
Private businesses are not required by statute to accept a Safe at Home Participant's substitute address. However, private companies or agencies are encouraged to make every effort to keep a participant’s information safe by accepting the substitute address whenever possible. If agency or business employees have questions about using the substitute address, they may contact the Safe at Home Program directly.
When can the Substitute Address NOT be used?
When listing, appraising, or assessing property taxes;
When collecting property taxes;
On any document related to real property recorded with a county clerk or recorder.
Program Participants must vote by absentee ballot. T.C.A. § 40-38-607.
Program participant absentee ballots must be treated as confidential and must be processed confidentially by the Administrator of Elections. Program participants shall appear in the statewide official voter registration list only by the Participant Identification Number.
What information relating to a participant may be available to law enforcement or administrative agency officials?
As authorized by law, properly designated law enforcement agency officials and administrative agency officials may request disclosure of information relating to a program participant. T.C.A. § 40-38-609. What information may be available to law enforcement or administrative agency officials?
Properly designated law enforcement agency officials and administrative agency officials may request confirmation of program participation pertaining to a supposed program participant.
Properly designated law enforcement agency officials and administrative agency officials may request disclosure of information pertaining to a program participant, including the confidential address, subject to the discretion of the Secretary of State. Program Participants may be entitled to prior notice and appeal rights.
Disclosure of a participant’s confidential address, or any other information contained within a program participant’s file, shall be limited to ensure that the disclosure and dissemination of the confidential address will be no greater than necessary for the specific purpose for which it was requested.
What is an Assumed Name?
An assumed name is a name other than the true entity name under which it conducts business. Tennessee does not recognize 'DBAs' (doing business as) or fictitious names. The assumed name is good for 5 years and can be renewed.
Do you have to use an attorney to incorporate?
You are not required to use an attorney to file a new entity; however, using the services of a professional may be helpful.
What are the most common reasons for rejection of a filing?
The required filing fee was not enclosed.
The document has not been signed
The document is not clear and legible.
The document was not enclosed.
The document is not dated.
An email address was not provided.
The name that you have requested is unavailable because it is not distinguishable from another business entity on file.
We were not able to obtain tax clearance from the Department of Revenue. Please, contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue at (615) 253-0600 or (800) 342-1003. Once you have satisfied their requirements, resubmit your document to our office for filing.
The address of the registered office must be a physical Tennessee address; it cannot be a post office box, route number, or box number alone.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail on behalf of your entity. Tennessee requires that all entities (except General Partnerships (GP) to maintain a registered agent/office in the State of Tennessee at all times.